Written by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14] – Non-League & EOFL Writer
Hello all and welcome to my round-up of the action in the Essex Olympian League, on Saturday 20 November. This week, the league action was reduced with many teams involved in the last 32 of the Essex Premier Cup. Also includes a round-up of Division Four & Five action at the end of the article.
Many thanks for reading.
Essex Olympian League Round-up – Saturday 20 November
EOFL Premier Division
In the four matches that took place in the Premier, Ongar Town reduced the deficit to leaders Basildon Town to a single point after winning 3 – 0 away at Galleywood. Joe Lilly, skipper Mitchell McCabe and replacement Mitchell Owers all netted in head coach Richard Ponsford’s 100th match in charge of Ongar. Rayleigh Town lost ground and dropped to third after being held to a 2 – 2 draw by Springfield at London Road. Alfie Larkin and George Aston gave Paul Higgins’ Town side a good lead but a missed penalty proved important as the visitors made a stirring comeback through goals from substitutes Harrison Elles and Jack French. Francesco Zabotti’s team extend their advantage over bottom side Harold Wood Athletic to three points. Harold Wood’s troubles continued as they lost 3 – 0 at home to Kelvedon Hatch, with a brace for Joseph Newson and Lewis Young’s strike enough to give Darren Hunt’s side the win.
Finally, Shenfield AFC went back into the top ten after an excellent 4 – 2 win at Bishop’s Stortford Swifts. Ben Carroll grabbed two goals for AFC, with Ross Riding and Luke Williamson also on the score-sheet at Silver Leys. Sam Chaney’s 11th league goal of the season and substitute Lawrence Healey responded for Swifts but they remain in tricky position, five points ahead ahead of the bottom two in 11th.
EOFL Division One
In the second-tier, with leaders Wakering Sports in Cup action, the onus fell to two of the sides in the chasing pack and a big game for one side near the bottom of the table. Corinthians did get a important win, defeating Epping Town 3 – 1. Jamaine Belle netted for Stuart Hoskins’ side but a brace for Damian Siemienczuk and one from Cameron Glover ensured the points went to Chris Stoneham’s side. They went up to third spot, two points behind Runwell Sports who gathered a good 3 – 0 victory at Beacon Hill Rovers. Rovers fell to the bottom of the standings as Snaresbrook produced a superb performance to win 5 – 1 against Old Chelmsfordians at Hackney Marshes. Ife Ogunbayo netted a treble, with Ish Raymond and substitute Max Catherall also scoring for Rob Caine’s side.
EOFL Division Two
The top two were Premier Cup so in Division Two, it was a question of whether the challengers could gain ground. Wakebury did absolutely that, with a 5 – 0 victory over neighbours AS Rawreth at the Nursery Sports Ground. Max Hall grabbed another double for Matt Cardy’s side to reach 13 league goals already this term, with Daniel Buglione, Chris Gore and Jack Smith also on target to reduce the gap to leaders Harold Hill to six points. Old Southendian Res went up to fourth place with a superb 6 – 1 triumph at Rochford Town. Nicolas Dubouchet netted four goals himself here (to reach 11 for the season) for Josh Bambury’s side. Andy Turner and George Burley were also on target for the victors here.
Essex Premier Cup – Round Three (Last 32) Results
Catholic Utd 3 – 2 West Essex Dev | Len Forge 3G (1.30pm KO)
Chingford Athletic 3 – 0 Canning Town | Town Mead 3G
Harold Hill 2 – 1 Grays Athletic Res | Noak Hill 3G
Hutton 3 – 0 Rayleigh Town Res | Polo Fields
May & Baker A 3 – 5 Woodford East | May & Baker FC
Leigh Ramblers 4 – 3 Brentwood Town Res | Belfairs Park
Leigh Town 3 – 5 Clapton CFC (AET) | Len Forge 3G (5.15pm KO)
Manford Way 5 – 0 ACD Utd | London Marathon Sports Ground
Old Southendian H – W Harold Wood Athletic Res
Sungate 4 – 0 Wakering Sports | Ilford Wanderers RFC
Toby 1 – 2 Stanway Pegasus (AET) | Ford’s Sports Club (Newbury Park)
Waltham Abbey Res 1 – 0 Basildon Town | Capershotts
EOFL Division Three
In Division Three, Wakering Sports Res remain the nearest challengers after a 5 – 0 home win over Toby Res. Scott Clark netted a treble for the hosts, with Ciaran Sweeney and Liam Jarrett also on target to give them their tenth win in 11 matches thus far. Leaders Catholic Utd Res remain at the summit after a conclusive 11 – 1 triumph against Collier Row to make it twelve wins from as many matches. Basildon Town Res are up to fourth after a 3 – 1 success at Buckhurst Hill U23. Buttrint lecaj netted for the hosts after coming off the bench, but strikes by Nathan Fisher, Jay Thompson and replacement Alex Smith were enough to give Town the win.
Meanwhile, Pitsea Athletic won their mid-table clash with Hullbridge Sports Res 4 – 2 at Basildon Sports Village. Doubles for Reece Stone and Sean Devlin were enough for Pitsea were enough to overturn a Bobby Badnall strike & a Michael Clark spot-kick and go up to sixth. Finally, Hashtag Utd Development remain third after a fine 6 – 2 success against Corinthians Res.
EOFL Divisions Four & Five round-up (extended)
Continuing with the league action with Division Four and Springfield Res went level on points with leaders Chingford Athletic Res after a 3 – 1 win against Ongar Town Res at Arun Close. Tristan Ofori-Sampong’s fifth league goal this term, plus strikes from Liam England and Alfie Halliday secured the win and rendered substitute Jordan Pocock’s goal a consolation for Town. Wakering Sports A went up to third place after a 3 – 1 triumph over Galleywood Res at Cupid’s. William Santos scored for ‘Wood but a brace from Nathan Roche and one from Tom Wortley meant that Sports claimed their sixth win in ten games thus far.
Meanwhile, Shenfield AFC Res went up to fifth after a good 2 – 1 success at Roydon, with Sam Dawes and Alec Roeper netting for the visitors. Connor Presland’s 7th league goal this term wasn’t enough to claim a point for Roydon who drop to seventh spot as Southend Manor Dev claimed an excellent 5 – 0 victory over bottom side Sungate Dev at Southchurch Park. Max Franzosi struck a fine treble, with Cameron Gibbins and Mahbhir Mahmud also scoring for Carlos Codinha’s side. In the other action, Leytonstone Utd claimed a rare win, 2 – 1 against fellow bottom three side Canning Town Res and Old Chelmsfordians Res defeated leaders Chingford Athletic Res 4 – 3 at Lawford Lane.
In Division Five, Herongate Athletic Res got a big 2 – 1 win against leaders Leigh Ramblers Res at Billericay Road. Edward Foskett netted for the Rams’ second side but strikes by Benjamin Clarke and Louie Webster were enough to consign the visitors to their first league loss of the season. Herongate remain sixth but gain ground on the top five. Bishop’s Stortford Swifts Res wen up to third spot after edging a pulsating match, winning 4 – 3 at Old Barkabbeyans. The ensemble cast of Callum Blair Park, Fraser Bush, Jose Pinto and James Misselbrook gave Swifts the points despite another double for Michael Ryder who reached 25 league goals this term here. Jay Elliott also scored for Old Barks here.
Also, Pitsea Athletic Res won 2 – 0 at Runwell Sports Res to stay second on goak difference, thanks to goals from Rinor Zeqiri and replacement Jay Seeley-Hanson. AS Rawreth Res got only their second win this season with a 3 – 2 triumph over Snaresbrook Res with Justin Burrell getting two goals and substitute Nigel Mukundu also netted for the Rawreth side. Wakebury Res also claimed a decent point after a 4 – 4 draw with fellow strugglers Epping Town Res at Epping UC Rugby Club. Ben Moreley scored two for the Berries, with Josh King and player-boss Reece Upcraft also on the score-sheet.
End
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